Polymerisable compositions using air-activated latent initiator system of hydrogenated pyridine compound and acid

ABSTRACT

A one-part, air-activatable, polymerizable composition comprising: 
     (a) at least one free-radically polymerizable monomer, and 
     (b) an activator system for effective polymerization of the free-radically polymerizable monomer, said activator system comprising at least one auto-oxidizable compound of a formula which includes the structure I: ##STR1## where x is 0 or 1, and where the lines representing unfilled valencies indicate bonds to carbon, hydrogen or hetero atoms, alone or in combination with a weak acid; 
     with the proviso that: 
     when x=0, the nitrogen atom in structure I is not bonded to a second nitrogen atom; 
     and when x=1 there is a structure I in the compound in which the &gt;C═C&gt;moiety does not form part of a phenyl ring; 
     with the proviso that the composition does not contain a peroxide, or a peroxide precursor which produces peroxide in the absence of air or any ingredient which is a significant source of radicals in the absence of air. 
     Preferred auto-oxidizable compounds are selected from the group consisting of partially hydrogenated pyridines, condensation products of cyclic ketones and ureas, Schiff&#39;s bases, indoles, pyrroles, imidazoles, piperazines, carbazoles, tetrahydroquinolines, and substituted derivatives thereof, particularly dihydropyridines. 
     The composition may also contain a soluble ionic salt, particularly a cobalt or iron salt. 
     The compositions as described are stable on storage in the absence of air, are activated by exposure to air, and will then cure in either the presence or absence of air.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/173,267 filed Dec. 23, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,347, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/847,157 filed Mar. 5, 1992, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Field of the Invention

The invention relates to air-activatable polymerisable compositions and their use. The compositions are suitable for use as one-component systems for forming polymers, requiring no primers. The compositions are useful as adhesives, sealants, surface coatings, moulding resins and composite matrices, for example. These compositions are particularly suitable for use as thread-locking compounds, e.g. for cementing nuts to threaded shafts, bushes to bush housings and the like.

b) Description of the Related Art

The cure of acrylic adhesives is initiated by a two-part redox system. The first part, the initiator, is normally present in the base component of the adhesive and the second part is present in the accelerator or curative component. One widely used curative is the reaction product of aniline and n-butyraldehyde. The reaction product was first known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,780,334 assigned to E.I. Du Pont DeNemours and Co. The condensation of aniline and n-butyraldehyde results in many products, some having complex structures. However it appears that the major component and active ingredient is a substituted dihydropyridine (DHP).

An adhesive composition which can be formulated either as a two-part system or as a system utilising a primer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,407, assigned to E.I. Du Pont DeNemours and Co. The composition comprises a sulphur-bearing component selected from chlorosulphonated polyethylene and a mixture of sulphonyl chloride with chlorinated polyethylene in at least one polymerisable vinyl monomer and an accelerator comprising a primary amine-aldehyde condensation product. U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,013 also of E.I. Du Pont DeNemours and Co. which was divided from U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,407 specifies that the chlorosulphonated polyethylene is made from branched polyethylene having a melt index of about 100, the chlorosulphonated polyethylene containing about 43% chlorine by weight and about 34 mmoles of sulphonyl chloride per 100 grams of polymer and the composition may also comprise a mixture of methyl-methacrylate, glacial methacrylic acid and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate. A further U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,971, also divided from U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,407, relates to a method of bonding two surfaces comprising the above disclosed adhesive compositions.

A bonding accelerator containing a condensation reaction product of an aldehyde and a primary or secondary amine is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,438, assigned to Loctite Corporation, together with a reducing activator comprising either a sulphur-containing free radical accelerator or a compound containing an oxidizable transition metal. Such a condensation reaction product is also known for use in conjunction with a polymerisable acrylate ester monomer and a peroxy polymerisation initiator (U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,040 also of Loctite Corporation).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,480, assigned to Loctite Corporation relates to an adhesive composition which comprises a first part comprising a solution of chlorosulphonated polyethylene in at least one polymerisable vinyl monomer, a polymerisation catalyst which comprises at least one free-radical initiator and a second part comprising an activator composition which consists of at least 70% of the condensation reaction product formed between butyraldehyde and aniline.

An improved adhesive composition of this type, enriched in N-phenyl-3,5-diethyl-2-propyl-1,2-dihydropyridine to a concentration of at least about 70% by weight of the condensation reaction products is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,480.

All of the above compositions based on aldehyde-amine condensation reaction products are, however, two-part systems.

British Patent Specification No. 1113722 of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company discloses aerobic compositions which are polymerisable in the presence of a free radical catalyst which comprises one or more mono- and/or bis-acrylate and/or methacrylate monomers which are blended with from 0.05 to 6% by weight of the monomer of a triaryl borane complex. British Patent Specification No. 1251737 of Toyo Soda Manufacturing Company Limited discloses the polymerisation of a vinyl monomer, chloroprene or methyl methacrylate in the presence of a catalyst comprising a trialkyl boron compound and a chloro hydrocarbon mixed in a molar ratio of 1:0.2 to 1:8.0.

The polymerisation of vinyl monomers using catalysts which are either diborane adducts or oligomers based on monomer units which contain at least two borane atoms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,616 assigned to Rohm and Haas Company. The compositions also include an oxygen source.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,724 assigned to Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien relates to boron alkyl compounds as initiators of free-radical polymerisation, the compounds being esters of a fatty acid or fatty alcohol having at least one boryl radical or organoboron radical attached thereto.

European Patent Application No. 0078994 A1 of Henkel KgaA describes an air-activatable starter system for the polymerisation of olefinic compounds, based on organo-boron compounds with improved storage stability even on admission of air, which consists of a homogeneous mixture of at least one organo-boron compound activatable by admission of air with at least one organic oligomer or polymer which at room temperature is fluid to solid and which is inert towards the organo-boron compound.

The majority of these borane compositions have been found to be "two part" systems with limited pot lives. Where one-component adhesives are described, difficulties are encountered in formulation and obtaining adequate stability.

An adhesive composition which is described as being polymerisable either aerobically or anaerobically is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,348,503, and 4,429,088 divided therefrom, of Bachmann, and comprises an acrylic ester monomer capable of free-radical polymerisation and a monomeric polyacrylate ester prepolymer together with a catalyst system which comprises an aromatic perester free-radical precursor, an organic acid and a soluble compound of a transition metal cure accelerator. However this composition requires a separate activator such as an amine-aldehyde condensate.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,955, assigned to Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, discloses an adhesive composition comprising a polymerisable monomer having at least one alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxyl functionality and as an accelerator an organic sulphimide or perfluroalkylsulphonanilide, together with an inhibitor of free-radical polymerisation to retard polymerisation of the unsaturated carboxyl functionality on contact with the accelerator, and a condensation reaction product of an aldehyde and a primary or secondary amine.

Free radical polymerizable compositions are disclosed in European Patent Specification No. 0,356,875 of Henkel KGA. These comprise ethylenically unsaturated, polymerizable compounds together with an activator system which can be initiated by oxygen and water, comprising an N-alkyl-substituted tert-arylamine with at least one aliphatic CH bond in the alpha position, a metal compound generally used for accelerating the drying of unsaturated oil and which is at least partially soluble in the composition, and a compound of a weakly acidic carboxylic acid having a pKa value of no less than about 0.9, which can be hydrolyzed to a free carboxylic acid on contact with moisture.

The N-alkyl-substituted tert-arylamines correspond in particular to the general formula: ##STR2## in which R₁ is an optionally substituted aryl radical, more especially an optionally alkyl-substituted phenyl radical, R₂, has the same meaning as R₁, or is an optionally substituted, linear or branched alkyl radical and R₃, is a linear or branched alkyl radical which may be substituted, but contains at least one hydrogen atom in the alpha-position to the nitrogen.

These compositions depend on the action of both water and oxygen to effect a cure reaction. As such their formulations are very dependant on humidity conditions.

WO91/10687-A of Henkel KGaA published after the priority date of this Application describes radical-cured multicomponent mixtures stable in the absence of air which contain alkyl, cycloalkyl and/or aryl hydrazones of aldehydes and/or ketones as initiators which form hydroperoxides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a one-part polymerisable composition which is stable on storage in the absence of air, which is activated by exposure to air and which then cures in either the presence or absence of air.

According to the present invention there is provided a one-part air-activatable polymerisable composition comprising:

(a) at least one free-radically polymerisable monomer, and

(b) an activator system for effective polymerisation of the free-radically polymerisable monomer, said activator system comprising at least one auto-oxidisable compound of a formula which includes the structure I: ##STR3## where x is 0 or 1, and where the lines representing unfilled valencies indicate bonds to carbon, hydrogen or hetero atoms, alone or in combination with a weak acid;

with the proviso that:

when x=0, the nitrogen atom in structure I is not bonded to a second nitrogen atom;

and when x=1 there is a structure I in the compound in which the C═C moiety does not form part of a phenyl ring;

with the proviso that the composition does not contain a peroxide, or a peroxide precursor which produces peroxide in the absence of air or any ingredient which is a significant source of radicals in the absence of air.

The presence of a weak acid is generally preferred in order to achieve a satisfactory rate of auto-oxidation for most of the auto-oxidisable compounds exemplified herein. However it has been observed that certain of the auto-oxidisable compounds, for example the condensation products of urea and cyclic ketones described herein, are air-activated sufficiently well in the absence of acid, although the rate of activation is slower than in the presence of acid. A slower rate of activation and therefore a slower rate of cure of the composition may be desirable in some end-use applications. Nevertheless the presence of a weak acid is generally preferred, even in the case of auto-oxidisable compounds which react with oxygen in the absence of acid, in order to improve solubility of the auto-oxidisable compound in the monomer.

The composition will generally also comprise one or more soluble ionic salts. Preferred ionic salts are metal salts of the type generally used in oil drying technology. The metals should have several valency states and suitable metal salts are those of multivalent metals, especially transition metals. The metal salt or salts must be at least partially soluble in the composition, and may be present in the composition in an effective amount which is generally in a range of between about 1 and about 1,000 parts per million, preferably about 30-300, more preferably 3 to 200 ppm. Alternatively a metal salt in the environment, e.g. on the substrate to which the composition is applied, may participate in initiation of the polymerisation.

The presence of a metal salt is desirable, particularly for improving storage stability of the compositions. An excess of metal salt can interfere with air-activation of the compositions. Iron, cobalt, manganese and vanadium salts are preferred. In addition, compounds of these metals can be mixed with each other, or with one or more other metallic components such as lead, cerium, copper, calcium, barium, zinc and/or zirconium. A mixture of two ionic salts, e.g. salts of cobalt and iron, may have a synergistic effect in certain proportions e.g. a Co:Fe ratio from 9:1 to 1:1. Ionic salts capable of increasing the ionic strength of the formulation also show activity in air activatable adhesive formulations. Typical of these materials are quaternary alkyl ammonium salts, and organic soluble salts of tin, calcium and aluminium.

Metal naphthenates or metal acetyl acetonates are generally soluble in the composition, but other salts or organometallics may be used if they are sufficiently soluble.

The free-radically polymerisable monomer may be selected from olefinically unsaturated systems such as acrylates, methacrylates, styrene, maleate esters, fumarate esters, unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, thiol-ene compositions, and acrylate, methacrylate, or vinyl terminated resins including silicones and urethanes. Suitable acrylates and methacrylates are those used in polymerisable systems such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,220 of Bachmann et. al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,209 of Ray-Chaudhuri et al. Particularly preferred are hydroxyl-containing methacrylates especially hydroxylalkyl methacrylates such as hydroxypropyl methacrylate. Also preferred are methylmethacrylate, polyfunctional methylacrylates, silicone diacrylates and polyfunctional acrylated urethanes of the type known to be useful in formulating adhesives (e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,376 of Douek et al) or a thiol-ene (e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,661,744, 3,898,349, 4,008,341 or 4,808,638).

The auto-oxidisable compound may be defined as an autox, capable of reacting with atmospheric oxygen by a free-radical mechanism. The auto-oxidisable compound may have the general formula II: ##STR4## where x is 0 or 1 and R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and heterohydrocarbyl groups, silyl groups, and substituted derivatives of any of the foregoing, and any two of the groups R₁ to R₅ may together form a mono- or poly-cyclic ring structure, which may optionally be a fused ring structure, and which in turn may be substituted, with the proviso that none of the groups R₁ to R₅ comprise or contain a group which is known to interfere with polymerisation, and with the same provisos as defined above with respect to the compound of a formula which includes the structure I.

Preferably R₂ and R₅ form a ring structure such that the auto-oxidisable compound has the general formula IIa ##STR5## wherein A is a divalent hydrocarbyl or heterohydrocarbyl group which may optionally have a cycloaliphatic or aromatic ring fused thereto and which may be substituted.

The groups R₁ and R₃ may also suitably form a ring structure.

The term "hydrocarbyl" as used herein includes

(i) straight chain or branched aliphatic groups including alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl, preferably containing from 1 to 20, more preferably from 1 to 10, most preferably from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and alkylene and alkenylene groups forming part of a ring structure which preferably contains from 3 to 30, more preferably 5 to 20 carbon atoms;

(ii) aromatic groups including aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl groups.

The term "heterohydrocarbyl" as used herein includes hydrocarbyl groups as described above interrupted by a hetero atom selected from oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur.

The term "substituted" or "substituted derivative" as used herein includes the appropriate group substituted with one or more oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur or halogen atoms or atom-containing moieties, or with one or more hydrocarbyl or heterohydrocarbyl groups, which in turn may be substituted with one or more oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur or halogen atoms or atom-containing moieties. The halogen may be chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine. Exemplary of suitable R₁ -R₅ groups as well as substituents on a ring structure are hydrogen, C₁ -C₅ alkyl, C₁ -C₅ alkoxy, phenyl, alkoxyphenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, amide or trialkyl silyl groups.

Suitable auto-oxidisable compounds include partially hydrogenated pyridines, condensation products of cyclic ketones and ureas, Schiff's Bases, indoles, pyrroles, imidazoles, piperazines, carbazoles and tetrahydroquinolines and substituted derivatives thereof. Particularly preferred are dihydropridines having a general formula selected from III: ##STR6## wherein R₁ ' to R₇ ' have the same meanings and provisos as R₁ to R₅ above. Compounds of formula III (iv) and III (v) are preferred, R₇ ' preferably being other than hydrogen, and more preferably being an electron-donating group,

or the condensation products of ureas and cyclic ketones having a general formula IIIa: ##STR7## wherein n=4, 5, 6 or 7 and R₁ and R₂ are as defined above, or Schiff's Bases of the formula: ##STR8## where the R's which may be the same or different are selected from H, alkyl, alkoxy or aromatic groups, and substituted derivatives thereof, wherein alkyl groups or moieties preferably contain from 1 to 20, more preferably from 1 to 10, most preferably from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and aromatic groups include aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl groups.

The following are examples of compounds which are suitable for use in the compositions of the invention as auto-oxidisable compounds: ##STR9##

INDOLES

A compound of formula X: ##STR10##

PYRROLES ##STR11## IMIDAZOLES ##STR12## PIPERAZINES ##STR13## TETRAHYDRACARBAZOLES ##STR14## SCHIFF BASES

A compound of formula: ##STR15##

HYDROQUINOLINES ##STR16## TETRAHYDROPYRIDINES ##STR17## CONDENSATION PRODUCTS OF UREA AND CYCLIC KETONES

Spirolactams of the formula XXIV: ##STR18## wherein the R's which may be the same or different are as defined above; exemplified by a compound of formula: ##STR19##

The auto-oxidisable compound will generally be present in an effective amount for effecting polymerisation of the composition upon exposure to atmospheric oxygen. Such effective amount is generally within the range of from about 0.1 to about 20%, preferably from about 0.1 to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 5%, based on the weight of the polymerisable composition.

WEAK ACID

The weak acid when required is an acid other than a mineral acid. The pKa of the weak acid normally is no lower than about 0.5 with the preferred limit being about 0.9. The upper limit is approximately 13, more preferably 11.5. However, carboxylic acids which have a pKa of up to about 8, preferably 6 or 7 are particularly suitable.

The carboxylic acids may contain one or more carboxyl groups, suitably 1 to 4 and more preferably 1 or 2 carboxyl groups. Suitable aliphatic carboxylic acids are C₁₋₁₈ and preferably C₁₋₁₀ monocarboxylic acids.

The choice of the acid depends to a large extent on the auto-oxidisable material being used. Suitable acids may be monobasic or polybasic. Typical but not limiting examples of suitable acids are formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, acrylic acid and copolymers thereof, methacrylic acid and copolymers thereof, pyruvic acid, itatonic acid, nadic acid, benzoic acid, phthalic acids, cinnamic acid, trichloroacetic acid and saccharin. The effective amount of the acid is generally within the range from about 0.1 to about 20%, preferably from about 0.1 to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 5% based on the weight of the polymerisable composition.

The composition may optionally further comprise reducing agents, thickeners, fillers, pigments and free radical polymerisation stabilisers.

Suitable reducing agents may be, but are not limited to, acetylphenylhydrazine, tetramethylthiourea or thiocaprolactam.

Polymeric thickeners may be present in the compositions in a minor amount, up to about 50%, and may be thickeners such as a polymer or prepolymer of low or high molecular weight. Suitable polymeric thickeners are a commercially available methacrylate polymer sold by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, under the trademark Elvacite or by Rhom and Haas under the Trade Mark Ryloid, as well as styrene-methyl methacrylate co-polymers and polybisphenol A maleate (sold by ICI Americas Inc. under the trademark Atlac). It is also possible to add inert filling materials such as finely divided silica, fumed silica (treated or untreated), montmorillonite, clay, bentonite and the like. The use of micronized silica would result in a paste-like thixotropic composition.

Additionally, it is conventional to include in adhesive formulations certain "inert" fillers such as wood flour, glass fibres, cotton linters, mica, alumina, silica and the like to modify viscosity, improve impact resistance and for other purposes. Such fillers could be incorporated in the formulations of the present invention. Small percentages of silane monomers could also be added to increase moisture resistance, as well as to enhance bonding of an adhesive to glass and similar surfaces. Other substances such as dyes, fire retarders, stabilizers such as quinones and hydroquinones, thixotropes, plasticizers, antioxidants, and the like may also be included, although such additives may often be furnished in the principal ingredients, making their separate introduction unnecessary.

Peroxides, or peroxide percursors which produce peroxide in the absence of air, or any ingredient which is a significant source of radicals in the absence of air, should not be included in the compositions, so that polymerisation of the free-radically polymerisable monomer does not commence until it is exposed to oxygen.

The compositions of the present invention may suitably comprise 0.1 to 20% by weight of the auto-oxidisable compound, 0.1% to 20% by weight of the weak acid (if present) and at least 10% by weight of the free-radically polymerisable monomer, optionally with the ionic salt, thickeners, fillers, pigments, reducing agents and/or stabilisers, the total constituents adding up to 100%.

The invention also provides a method of bonding two substrates comprising coating at least one substrate with a composition as defined above, exposing the composition to oxygen for sufficient time to activate polymerization, and bringing the two substrates together. Typically at least about 5 seconds, but preferably at least about 30 seconds exposure to air would be suitable.

Furthermore the invention provides a method of forming a polymer, for example in topical coatings, encapsulation, moulding and the like, comprising exposing to oxygen for sufficient time to activate polymerization a composition as defined above. Typically at least about 5 seconds, but preferably at least about 30 seconds exposure to air would be suitable.

The above-described compositions are stable when prepared in the absence of air. Exposure to air results in the polymerisation of the composition, the polymerisation being sustained in the presence or absence of air once the initial exposure to air has taken place. Typically the exposure to air should be for at least about 5 seconds, preferably not less than 30 seconds, more preferably 1 to 5 minutes.

The composition may be agitated during its exposure to oxygen to accelerate activation by introducing oxygen into the composition. The purpose of agitation is to increase the surface area of the composition exposed to the oxygen. For example the composition may be applied to a substrate in finely divided form e.g. by spraying or in the form of a foam. The composition may be packaged in and/or dispensed from a container having a nozzle which entrains air as the composition is dispensed e.g. an aerosol container or pump-action aspirator. In addition, or alternatively, the composition may be agitated on the substrate e.g. by stirring. Agitation of the composition also improves cure-through-volume (CTV) in a layer having significant depth.

The invention further provides a composition as described above packaged in an aerosol container or pump-action aspirator.

The compositions of the invention are true one-component polymerizable compositions and are thus much simpler to use than two-component compositions, and yet they have good stability when formulated under oxygen-free conditions and stored in a sealed container under inert gas. A further advantage of the compositions is that their mechanism of polymerization is independent of the substrate and they thus have a wide range of applications. In addition it is possible to achieve a more uniform distribution of cure in a thick bond line. Additionally, the compositions have rapid fixture times and good bond strengths.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention may be more fully understood with reference to the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1

An adhesive composition was prepared by formulating hydroxypropyl methacrylate (10 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g) with 0.5 g of a cobalt naphthenate solution comprising 20 parts methyl methacrylate (20 g), one part of a 6% cobalt naphthenate solution in hydrocarbon oil (1 g). This formulation was added to an aluminium tube and exposed to a steady stream of argon gas through a syringe needle for 2 minutes. N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2- dihydropyridine (0.5 g) was added to the formulation under an atmosphere of argon. The aluminium tube was then sealed by crimping, thus trapping argon gas in the head space above the formulation. The aluminium tube was shaken for 10-20 seconds to ensure thorough mixing of the formulation components.

The adhesive composition was tested as follows: samples of the adhesive were squeezed from the aluminium tube and spread onto grit blasted mild steel laps (4×1 inches) to form a film of approximately 0.1 mm in depth and exposed to air for a measured interval (open time). Then the laps were brought together to form an adhesive joint with 0.5 inch overlap, excluding air. As a result of activation by exposure to air, rapid fixturing was observed and the exact 3 kg fixture times from the time of assembly of the laps (ASTM 609) were measured for a range of open times and recorded in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         OPEN TIMES    3 kg FIXTURE TIMES                                               (MINUTES)     (MINUTES)                                                        ______________________________________                                         0.5           4.5                                                              1             3.0                                                              2             2.0                                                              3             1.5                                                              4             1.5                                                              5             1.5                                                              10            12.0                                                             20            14.0                                                             30            14.0                                                             ______________________________________                                    

The bond strength data (tested according to ASTM 603 ) for bonds assembled using the above procedure and allowed to cure for 24 hours are shown in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         OPEN TIMES TENSILE SHEAR BOND STRENGTHS                                        (MINUTES)  (N/mm.sup.2)                                                        ______________________________________                                         1          14.6                                                                2          12.4                                                                3          11.6                                                                4          10.7                                                                5          12.6                                                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2

An adhesive formulation was prepared using an identical procedure to that outlined in Example 1 except that N-butyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g) was used instead of N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine. Using this formulation 3 kg fixture times of 2.5 minute were obtained with 2 minutes open times and 24 hour bond strengths of 9.85N/mm².

EXAMPLE 3 (Comparative)

A formulation, prepared using the procedure outlined in Example 1, comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (10 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g) and 0.3% cobalt naphthenate in methylmethacrylate (0.5 g) was found to be inactive as an adhesive when tested using the procedures outlined in example 1. The formulation failed to give 3 kg fixtures and gave zero 24 hour bond strengths.

EXAMPLE 4 (Comparative)

A formulation prepared using the procedure outlined in Example 1, comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (10 g), 0.3% cobalt naphthenate in methylmethacrylate (0.5 g) and N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g) was found to be inactive as an adhesive, failed to give 3 kg fixtures and gave zero 24 hour bond strengths when tested as described in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 5

Following the procedure outlined in Example 1 two formulations were prepared comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (10.0 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), 0.3% cobalt naphthenate in methylmethacrylate (0.5 g) and either 0.3 g (composition a) or 0.2 g (composition b) N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine.

Both these formulations when activated by exposure to air gave fixture times and 24 hour bond strengths as follows:

(Composition a) Bond Strength: 12.5N/mm² Fixture time: 2 minutes

(Composition b) Bond Strength: 9.3N/mm² Fixture time: 3 minutes

EXAMPLE 6

A series of formulations were prepared using the procedure outlined in Example 1, containing the following components:

    ______________________________________                                                   Formulation                                                                             Formulation                                                                               Formulation                                                (a)      (b)        (c)                                              ______________________________________                                         hydroxypropyl                                                                              8 g        5 g        2 g                                          methacrylate                                                                   methyl methacrylate                                                                        2 g        5 g        8 g                                          N-phenyl-2-propyl-                                                                         0.5 g      0.5 g      0.5 g                                        3,5-diethyl-1,2-                                                               dihydropyridine                                                                0.3% cobalt 0.5 g      0.5 g      0.5 g                                        naphthenate                                                                    in methyl                                                                      methacrylate                                                                   acrylic acid                                                                               0.5 g      0.5 g      0.5 g                                        ______________________________________                                    

When these formulations were exposed to air and activated as in Example 1 fixture times and bond strengths as listed in Table 3 were obtained.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                                   Formulation                                                                             Formulation                                                                               Formulation                                                (a)      (b)        (c)                                              ______________________________________                                         3 kg fixture                                                                               2.5        2.0        1.5                                          times (mins)                                                                   24 hour bond                                                                               11.2       12.4       5.6                                          strengths (N/mm.sup.2)                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7

A formulation was prepared using the procedure outlined in Example 1 containing hydroxypropyl methacrylate (5.0 g), 50/50 polymethyl methyacrylate (low molecular weight)/methyl methacrylate solution (5.0 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), 0.3% cobalt naphthenate in methylmethacrylate (0.5 g) and N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g). This formulation was activated by exposure to air and used to assemble bonds as in Example 1. Fixture times of 4.5 minutes and 24 hour bond strengths of 9.7N/mm² were obtained.

EXAMPLE 7(b)

A formulation was prepared using the procedure outlined in Example 1, comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (8.0 g), a polyfunctional acrylated polyurethane of a type known to be useful for formulating adhesives (2.0 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), 0.3% cobalt naphthenate in methyl methacrylate (0.5 g) and N-phenyl-2-propyl -3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g). This formulation when tested as described in Example 1 gave fixture times of 2 minutes.

EXAMPLE 8

A series of formulations were prepared by the procedure outlined in Example 1, comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (10 g), N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g), 0.3% cobalt naphthenate in methyl methacrylate (0.5 g) and 0.5 g of each of the acids listed in Table 4.

The fixture times obtained when these formulations were tested as described in Example 1 are shown in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                                      pKa  3 kg Fixture time (min)                                      ______________________________________                                         Trichloroacetic acid                                                                          0.7    1.5                                                      Cyanoacetic acid                                                                              2.45   2.0                                                      Salicylic acid 2.97   2.5                                                      Benzoic acid   4.19   2.5                                                      Acrylic acid   4.25   2.5                                                      Acetic acid    4.75   2.5                                                      Saccharin      11.46  2.5                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 9

A series of formulations were prepared by the procedure outlined in Example 1, comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (10 g), 0.3% cobalt naphthenate in methyl methacrylate (0.5 g), N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g) and acrylic acid added at a range of weights as shown in Table 5.

These formulations were activated by exposure to air and used to assemble adhesive bonds as in Example 1. The bonds strengths obtained after 24 hours cures are illustrated in Table 5 for the respective formulations.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Acrylic Acid Level                                                                            Bond Strengths (N/mm.sup.2)                                     ______________________________________                                         (a)    1.0 g       17.82                                                       (b)    0.4 g       10.64                                                       (c)    0.3 g       3.49                                                        (d)    0.2 g       3.50                                                        (e)    0.1 g       3.04                                                        (f)      0 g       0                                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10

Formulations were prepared using identical procedures to those employed for Example 1 except that the cobalt naphthenate was replaced by (a) iron naphthenate (b) copper naphthenate or (c) manganese naphthenate.

When these formulations were used to assemble bonds as described in Example 1 the following 24 hour bond strengths were obtained:

(a) 12.7N/mm²

(b) 2.2N/mm²

(c) 5.5N/mm²

EXAMPLE 11

A formulation identical to that prepared in Example 1 was used to bond a range of substrates in pairs of the same material, and 3 kg fixture times were determined using a 4 minute open time. The results are listed in Table 7.

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Substrate        3 kg Fixture Time                                             ______________________________________                                         Polyvinylchloride                                                                               6.5                                                           Polymethylmethacrylate                                                                          7.5                                                           Polycarbonate    13.0                                                          Polyacetal       7.5                                                           Nylon 66.        6.5                                                           Phenolic         6.0                                                           Wood (Teak)      9.0                                                           Glass            4.0                                                           Glass Filled Polyester                                                                          4.5                                                           Aluminium        5.5                                                           Brass            5.0                                                           Copper           6.0                                                           Galvanised Steel 11.0                                                          Chrome           6.0                                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 12

A formulation comprising diallyl diglycol carbonate (5.28 g) and the tetra ester of thiopropionic acid and pentaerythritol (4.72 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), 0.3% vanadium acetyl acetonate in methyl methacrylate (0.5 g), and N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g) was prepared and spread onto a glass surface as films of thicknesses 0.1 to 0.5 mm in depth. These films cured to solid tack free coatings in air after 20 minutes.

EXAMPLE 13

Using the general procedures outlined in Example 1 a formulation was prepared comprising a silicon diacrylate (EBECRYL 350 supplied by UCB Chemical Sector Speciality Chemicals Division, Belgium) at (10 g), trichloroacetic acid (0.5 g) and N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g). This formulation was packed into a 25 ml aluminium tube under an argon atmosphere and sealed. The formulation was tested as follows; samples squeezed from the tube were spread onto sheets of polyethylene giving film thicknesses of 0.1 to 0.5 mm in depth. On exposure to air the formulations were activated and began to polymerise from the formulation/air interface downwards. The polymerisation reaction was rapid giving a solid rubbery material after 2-3 minutes, with the reaction being even faster for thiner films.

EXAMPLE 14

A series of formulations were prepared comprising hydroxypropylmethacrylate (10 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine and 0.5 g methyl methacrylate solution containing 0.3% of the salts listed in Table 8. These formulations were prepared and tested using the procedures outlined in Example 1. Results are listed in Table 8.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Salt               3 Kg. Fixture times (min)                                   ______________________________________                                         Vanadium III Acetylacetonate                                                                      3                                                           Dibutyltin dilaurate                                                                              8                                                           Aluminium III Acetylacetonate                                                                     6                                                           Calcium Chloride   2.5                                                         Tetra-N-butylammonium bromide                                                                     5.5                                                         Vanadyl Acetylacetonate                                                                           4                                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 15

A formulation comprising methylmethacrylate (25 g), acrylic acid (25 g), triethyleneglycol-dimethacrylate (5 g), 6% cobalt naphthenate in hydrocarbon oil (0.1 g), was deoxygenated by several freeze/thaw cycles under an inert atmosphere. Following the deoxygenation 0.5 g of a condensation product of urea and 4-methyl-cyclohexanone believed to be the spirolactam of formula XXV ##STR20## was added under inert atmosphere to give a liquid formulation. Samples of this formulation when exposed to air polymerized with vigorous exotherm after 35 minutes while the remainder of the formulation under the inert atmosphere remained liquid.

EXAMPLE 16

Using the general procedures outlined in Example 1 an adhesive formulation (A) was prepared comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (9 g), acrylic acid (1 g) and 5 mg of cobalt iodide and 0.5 g of the condensation product of urea and cyclohexanone. A second formulation (B) was prepared using the same components as formulation (A) except that 10 mg of cobalt iodide was added. Both formulations were stable when stored under argon away from air. The formulations were tested using the procedures outlined in Example 1 and gave the results shown in Table 9.

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                                             Bond Strengths                                                         Open time                                                                              Tensile Shear                                                          (minutes)                                                                              (N/mm.sup.2)                                               ______________________________________                                         Formulation A 5         4.4                                                                  10        6.2                                                    Formulation B 5         6.0                                                                  10        8.6                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 17

Using the procedures outlined in Example 1 an adhesive formulation comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (9 g), acrylic acid (1 g), cobalt iodide (50 mg) and 0.5 g of the condensation product of urea and 4-methyl cyclohexanone. The adhesive was stable when stored away from air and gave the following results when activated by exposure to air.

    ______________________________________                                         Open time     Bond Strengths                                                   (minutes)     (N/mm.sup.2)                                                     ______________________________________                                         2             5.6                                                              5             6.6                                                              10            5.8                                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 18

Using the procedures outlined for the above examples, an adhesive formulation comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (9 g), acrylic acid (1 g), cobalt iodide (10 mg) and 0.5 g of the condensation product of urea and 3-methyl-cyclohexanone. The adhesive was stable under an inert atmosphere and when activated by exposure to air as in Example 1 the following results were obtained.

    ______________________________________                                         Open time     Bond Strengths                                                   (minutes)     (N/mm.sup.2)                                                     ______________________________________                                         2             6.0                                                              5             6.9                                                              10            7.8                                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 19

An adhesive formulation (19a), comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (10 g), 0.3% iron naphthenate in methyl methacrylate (0.5 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g) and N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g) was prepared in an aluminium tube as outlined in Example 1. A second identical formulation (19b) was prepared by a comparable procedure in a glass bottle fitted with a pump action aspirator which allowed the formulation to be dispensed as a fine spray by simply pushing downwards on the aspirator head. The adhesive formulation when applied to a substrate using this aspirator was activated more rapidly giving a shorter fixture time for a given open time (see table below).

    ______________________________________                                                      Open Time 3 Kg Fixture Time                                       Formulation  (minutes) (minutes)                                               ______________________________________                                         19a          2         4                                                       19b          2         2                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 20

An adhesive formulation comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (8.5 g), methacrylic acid (0.5 g), N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g) and 0.1% iron (III) acetylacetonate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (0.5 g) was prepared and tested as in Example 1 with the results presented below. A further set of tests was carried out where the formulation was continuously stirred on the metal substrates with a spatula to deliberately induce oxygen diffusion from the air during the open time intervals. Stirring of the formulation increases both the fixture rates and the bond strengths obtained for a given open time (see below, results for the stirring experiment in brackets).

    ______________________________________                                         Open times   Fixture times                                                                             Bond strengths                                         (minutes)    (minutes)  N/mm.sup.2                                             ______________________________________                                         2            6          12.95                                                                 (3.55)   (18.8)                                                 4            4          15.8                                                                (2)        (17.6)                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 21

An adhesive formulation was prepared as in Example 1 comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (5 g), 33% polymethyl methacrylate in methyl methacrylate (5 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), 0.1% iron naphthenate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (0.5 g), and N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g). The formulation was tested as in Example 1 except that 0.5 mm wire shims were placed on the bondline to ensure that the adhesive formed a 0.5 mm fillet between the substrates. The adhesive performance with and without stirring (as in previous Example) was again determined with the stirred examples (see below in brackets) showing more rapid fixture rates and improved bond strengths.

    ______________________________________                                         Open times   Fixture times                                                                             Bond strengths                                         (minutes)    (minutes)  N/mm.sup.2                                             ______________________________________                                         2            10.5       4.0                                                                 (9.0)      (7.8)                                                  4            8.5        6.3                                                                 (7.0)      (7.6)                                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 22

An adhesive formulation was prepared using the procedures outlined in Example 1, comprising N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (9.0 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g) and iron (III) acetylacetonate (0.1% solution in hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 0.5 g). The performance of the formulation as an adhesive following air activation as in Example 1 is illustrated in Table 6 below.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Open Times  Bond Strengths                                                                             3 Kg Fixture times                                     (Minutes)   (N/mm.sup.2)                                                                               (Minutes)                                              ______________________________________                                         2           12.4        4.0                                                    4           16.9        4.0                                                    6           15.9        3.0                                                    10          16.0        3.5                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 23

An adhesive formulation was prepared as in the previous Example with the exception that acrylic acid was replaced by methacrylic acid. The performance of the adhesive was evaluated as for the previous Example. The results are shown in Table 7 below.

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Open Times  Bond Strengths                                                                             3 Kg Fixture times                                     (Minutes)   (N/mm.sup.2)                                                                               (Minutes)                                              ______________________________________                                         2           15.4        8.0                                                    4           19.4        7.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 24

An adhesive formulation was prepared using the procedures outlined in Example 1, comprising N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (4.0 g), 4.5 g of a solution of poly(methyl methacrylate) (30%) in methyl methacrylate and iron (III) acetylacetonate (0.1% solution in hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 0.5 g). The performance of the formulation as an adhesive following air activation as in Example 1 is illustrated in Table 8 below.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Open Times  Bond Strengths                                                                             3 Kg Fixture times                                     (Minutes)   (N/mm.sup.2)                                                                               (Minutes)                                              ______________________________________                                         2           8.5         4.0                                                    4           5.8         3.5                                                    6           4.0         3.0                                                    10          4.4         3.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 25

A series of adhesive formulations 25 (a-g) comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (10 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl -1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g) and mixtures of cobalt and iron naphthenate salts dissolved in methyl methacrylate (0.5 g) such that the final total metal concentration for each of the cobalt:iron ratios listed below was 150 parts per million.

    ______________________________________                                         Co:Fe     Open times Fixture times                                                                             Bond strengths                                 ratio     (minutes)  (minutes)  N/mm.sup.2                                     ______________________________________                                         25.a 1:0      1          2.5      8                                                          2          1.5      11.8                                                       4          1        10                                           25.b 9:1      1          1.5      --                                                         2          0.5      11                                                         4          0.5      7.3                                          25.c 4:1      1          1.5      8.8                                                        2          0.5      10.5                                                       4          0.5      9.6                                          25.d 1.5:1    1          3        2.2                                                        2          1.25     12                                                         4          0.5      12.5                                         25.e 0.67:1   1          3.5      3.2                                                        2          2.5      10                                                         4          0.5      13                                           25.f 0.25:1   1          6        0                                                          2          3.5      5.5                                                        4          0.5      12                                           25.g 0:1      1          6        0                                                          2          4        7                                                          4          1        11                                           ______________________________________                                    

The results for compositions b and c, as compared to composition a, show that the introduction of a minor proportion of the iron salt reduced the fixture time following each of the open times without destroying the bond strength. The results for composition d after open times of 2 or 4 minutes are similar. The synergistic effect is lost as the proportion of iron increases.

EXAMPLE 26

An adhesive formulation was prepared using the procedures outlined in Example 1 containing hydroxypropyl methacrylate (7.9 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), 0.1% cobalt naphthenate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (1.0 g), 0.1% iron (III) acetylacetonate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (0.1 g) and 1,2,3,4 tetrahydroquinoline (0.5 g). The formulation when air activated according to Example 1 gave the following results.

    ______________________________________                                         Open times    Bond strengths                                                   (minutes)     N/mm.sup.2                                                       ______________________________________                                         5             4.7                                                              10            5.2                                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 27

An adhesive formulation was prepared as in the previous example containing hydroxypropyl methacrylate (7.75 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), 0.1% cobalt naphthenate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (1 g), 0.1% iron (III) acetylacetonate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (0.25 g) and 1,2,3,4 tetrahydroquinoline (0.5 g). The formulation when tested as in Example 1 gave the following results.

    ______________________________________                                         Open times    Bond strengths                                                   (minutes)     N/mm.sup.2                                                       ______________________________________                                         5             5.3                                                              10            7.5                                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 28

An adhesive formulation prepared and tested as in Example 1 containing hydroxypropyl methacrylate (8.15 g), saccharin (0.5 g), 0.1% cobalt naphthenate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (1 g), 0.1% iron (III) acetylacetonate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (0.25 g) and 1,2,3,4 tetrahydroquinoline (0.5 g) gave bond strengths of 3.3N/mm² after 24 hours following air activation for 5 minutes.

EXAMPLE 29

A formulation comprising styrene (9 g), Atlac 382E (a commercially available propoxylated bisphenol A fumarate polyester resin supplied by Atlas Chemical Industries) (1 g), acetic acid (0.5 g), 0.1% cobalt naphthenate in styrene (0.5 g) and N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2 dihydropyridine (0.5 g) was prepared in air and gelled after 4-5 minutes exposure to air, giving a hard solid within 30 minutes.

EXAMPLE 30

A formulation comprising N-vinyl pyrrolidone (6 g), Atlac 382E (3 g), 0.1% cobalt naphthenate in N-vinyl pyrrolidone (0.1 g), acetic acid (0.5 g) and N-phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (0.5 g) was prepared in air and gelled to a solid polymer within 30 minutes.

EXAMPLE 31

A formulation comprising hydroxypropyl methacrylate (8.5 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), 0.1% cobalt naphthenate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (0.5 g) and ethyl-2,4-dimethyl-1,4-dihydronicotinate (0.5 g) was prepared and tested as in Example 1 giving bond strengths 2.9 MPa following air activation for 10-15 minutes.

EXAMPLE 33

A formulation comprising triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (4.5 g), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (4.5 g), acrylic acid (0.5 g), 0.1% cobalt naphthenate in hydroxypropyl methacrylate (0.5 g) and 2,5 dimethyl pyrrole (0.5 g) was prepared as in Example 1. A sample of this formulation polymerised to a gel within 15 minutes on exposure to air.

EXAMPLE 33

Formulations were prepared containing

    ______________________________________                                         Hydroxypropyl methacrylate   10 g                                              Acrylic acid                0.5 g                                              N-Phenyl-2-propyl-3,5-diethyl-1,2-dihydropyridine                                                          0.5 g                                              Iron naphthenate (as indicated below in parts per million)                     ______________________________________                                    

Each formulation was tested for stability at room temperature (RT). Each formulation was also exposed to air for 2 minutes prior to bond assembly with grit-blasted mild steel laps as in Example 1, with the following results:

    ______________________________________                                         Iron Conc. (ppm)                                                                          Fixture time (Min)                                                                            RT Stability (hours)                                 ______________________________________                                         (a)   0        7.5            1-2                                              (b)   15       4.5            >200                                             (c)  150       3.5            >200                                             (d)  1500      >1600          --                                               (e) 15000      >1600          --                                               ______________________________________                                    

When no iron was present the formulation was air activatable but had poor room temperature stability. High levels of iron gave formulations that could no longer be regarded as air sensitive. There is a range of metal concentration where both activity and stability are at a maximum.

EXAMPLE 34

(a) A formulation comprising cyclohexyl methacrylate (10 g), 6% cobalt naphthenate in hydrocarbon oil (0.5 g), and (0.1 g) of the condensation product of urea and 4-methyl cyclohexanone believed to be the spirolactam XXV, was prepared in air in a polypropylene beaker. This formulation polymerised with an exotherm after 40 minutes.

(b) A formulation similar to (a) above containing 0.3 g of the spirolactam XXV polymerises with an exotherm after 30 minutes.

(c) A formulation similar to (a) above containing 0.5 g of the spirolactam XXV polymerises with an exotherm after 20 minutes.

These formulations are air-activatable without acid. 

We claim:
 1. A storage stable, one-part, air-activatable, polymerisable composition comprising:(a) at least one free-radically polymerisable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (b) an auto-oxidisable compound which is a partially hydrogenated pyridine having a general formula selected from III (i)-(v): ##STR21## wherein R_(1'), to R_(7'), which may be the same or different, are independently selected from hydrogen, substituted and unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted heterohydrocarbyl groups and substituted and unsubstituted silyl groups, and any two of the groups R_(1') to R_(7') may together form a substituted or unsubstituted mono-cyclic ring structure or a substituted or unsubstituted poly-cyclic ring structure, which may be a fused ring structure,wherein the term "substituted" refers to the appropriate group substituted with one or more groups comprising oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or halogen atoms and the term "heterohydrocarbyl" refers to hydrocarbyl interrupted by an oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atom.with the proviso that none of the groups R_(1') to R_(7') comprise or contain a group which is known to interfere with polymerisation, and (c) a weak acid,with the further provisos that the composition does not contain a peroxide, or a peroxide precursor which produces peroxide in the absence of air, or any ingredient which is a significant source of radicals in the absence of air; said composition having been prepared under anaerobic conditions: and said polymerisable composition being maintained and stable under said anaerobic conditions and polymerisable under aerobic or anaerobic conditions after exposure to air.
 2. An air-activatable polymerisable composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the auto-oxidisable compound is of the formula III (iv) or (v).
 3. An air-activatable composition according to claim 2 wherein R₇ ' is other than hydrogen.
 4. An air-activatable composition according to claim 3 wherein R₇ ' is an electron-donating group.
 5. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the weak acid has a pKa of between 0.5 and
 13. 6. A composition as claimed in claim 5 wherein the weak acid is a carboxylic acid.
 7. A composition as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a soluble ionic salt or mixture of soluble ionic salts.
 8. A composition as claimed in claim 7 wherein the ionic salt or salts are selected from transition metal salts.
 9. A composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein the transition metal salt or salts are selected from salts of cobalt, iron, manganese and vanadium.
 10. A composition as claimed in claim 7 wherein the soluble ionic salt is selected from the group consisting of vanadium III acetylacetonate, dibutyltin dilaurate aluminium III acetylacetonate, calcium chloride, tetra-N-butylammonium bromide and vanadyl acetylacetonate.
 11. A composition as claimed in claim 7 wherein the soluble ionic salt or mixture of salts is present in the composition in a range of between about 1 to about 1,000 parts per million.
 12. A composition as claimed in claim 1 comprising 0.1 to 20% by weight of the auto-oxidisable compound, 0.1 to 20% by weight of the weak acid and at least 10% by weight of the free-radically polymerisable monomer, optionally with the soluble ionic salt, thickeners, fillers, pigments, reducing agents and/or stabilisers, the total constituents adding up to 100%. 